Abstract: A method on an electronic device is described. A first sensor of the electronic device scans for a first movement indication. A set of second sensors of the electronic device are activated based on the first movement indication. The set of second sensors scan for a respective set of second movement indications. The set of second movement indications are weighted based on a respective set of sensor weight values to obtain a weighted set of second movement indications. The weighted set of second movement indications is combined to determine a device mode of the electronic device. The device mode is updated based on the combination of the weighted set.

Abstract: A method on an electronic device for a wireless network is described. A first set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. A second set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. The first set and the second set are compared to determine intersecting wireless access point IDs and non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set. If the number of intersecting wireless access point IDs meets an intersection threshold for the first set, the non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set are added to the first set. A confidence level is updated for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that correspond to the intersecting wireless access point IDs. Geographic information is determined for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that meet a confidence threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contextually managing contact priorities based on travel includes an electronic device configured to determine a travel destination remote from a home location for the electronic device and to determine a set of individuals who will be located at the travel destination. The electronic device is further configured to temporarily make one or more contacts for the set of individuals preferred contacts while traveling and to enable a limited-interruption mode on the electronic device while traveling, wherein an audible alert on the electronic device is enabled for preferred contacts and disabled for non-preferred contacts while the limited-interruption mode is enabled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contextually managing contact priorities based on travel includes an electronic device configured to determine a travel destination remote from a home location for the electronic device and to determine a set of individuals who will be located at the travel destination. The electronic device is further configured to temporarily make one or more contacts for the set of individuals preferred contacts while traveling and to enable a limited-interruption mode on the electronic device while traveling, wherein an audible alert on the electronic device is enabled for preferred contacts and disabled for non-preferred contacts while the limited-interruption mode is enabled.

Abstract: In embodiments of electronic device mode detection, a mode detection application, implemented on an electronic device, correlates an identifier of a wireless device and an activity of the electronic device based at least in part on multiple instances of detecting the identifier of the wireless device during the activity of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the mode detection application correlates the identifier of the wireless device and the activity of the electronic device based at least in part on the identifier of the wireless device not being detected during one or more different activities of the electronic device. After correlating the identifier of the wireless device and the activity of the electronic device, the mode detection application configures the electronic device to automatically switch to a mode associated with the activity responsive to detecting the identifier of the wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying persons near a mobile device includes a wireless signaling system including an incoming wireless signal receiver, a device motion sensing system including at least a first sensor and a controller configured to determine whether the device is being moved in accordance with a predetermined gesture and to responsively enter a personnel data collection mode. In the personnel data collection mode, the device may transmit a query and receives an identification signal from at least one other device and identifies a user of the device based on the received identification signal. The predetermined gesture is a spinning gesture in an embodiment. In an embodiment, a thermal sensor is used to identify or enumerate personnel. The identification signal may be one of a Bluetooth ID and a WiFi ID.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a display (102). The electronic device can also include a user interface (110) to detect gesture input. One or more control circuits (116), operable with the display and the user interface, can detect a predefined gesture input (401) and alter a timer (122) controlling a duration in which the display is in an operational mode. This allows a user (300) to make a quick gesture to extend the time the display will be active without interaction so that the user can read long documents or other items without the display turning OFF.

Abstract: A method on an electronic device for a wireless network is described. A first set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. A second set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. The first set and the second set are compared to determine intersecting wireless access point IDs and non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set. If the number of intersecting wireless access point IDs meets an intersection threshold for the first set, the non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set are added to the first set. A confidence level is updated for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that correspond to the intersecting wireless access point IDs. Geographic information is determined for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that meet a confidence threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying persons near a mobile device includes a wireless signaling system including an incoming wireless signal receiver, a device motion sensing system including at least a first sensor and a controller configured to determine whether the device is being moved in accordance with a predetermined gesture and to responsively enter a personnel data collection mode. In the personnel data collection mode, the device may transmit a query and receives an identification signal from at least one other device and identifies a user of the device based on the received identification signal. The predetermined gesture is a spinning gesture in an embodiment. In an embodiment, a thermal sensor is used to identify or enumerate personnel. The identification signal may be one of a Bluetooth ID and a WiFi ID.

Abstract: A method on an electronic device for a wireless network is described. A first set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. A second set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. The first set and the second set are compared to determine intersecting wireless access point IDs and non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set. If the number of intersecting wireless access point IDs meets an intersection threshold for the first set, the non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set are added to the first set. A confidence level is updated for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that correspond to the intersecting wireless access point IDs. Geographic information is determined for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that meet a confidence threshold.

Abstract: In embodiments of electronic device mode detection, a mode detection application, implemented on an electronic device, correlates an identifier of a wireless device and an activity of the electronic device based at least in part on multiple instances of detecting the identifier of the wireless device during the activity of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the mode detection application correlates the identifier of the wireless device and the activity of the electronic device based at least in part on the identifier of the wireless device not being detected during one or more different activities of the electronic device. After correlating the identifier of the wireless device and the activity of the electronic device, the mode detection application configures the electronic device to automatically switch to a mode associated with the activity responsive to detecting the identifier of the wireless device.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a display (102). The electronic device can also include a user interface (110) to detect gesture input. One or more control circuits (116), operable with the display and the user interface, can detect a predefined gesture input (401) and alter a timer (122) controlling a duration in which the display is in an operational mode. This allows a user (300) to make a quick gesture to extend the time the display will be active without interaction so that the user can read long documents or other items without the display turning OFF.

Abstract: In embodiments of electronic device mode detection, a mode detection application, implemented on an electronic device, correlates an identifier of a wireless device and an activity of the electronic device based at least in part on multiple instances of detecting the identifier of the wireless device during the activity of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the mode detection application correlates the identifier of the wireless device and the activity of the electronic device based at least in part on the identifier of the wireless device not being detected during one or more different activities of the electronic device. After correlating the identifier of the wireless device and the activity of the electronic device, the mode detection application configures the electronic device to automatically switch to a mode associated with the activity responsive to detecting the identifier of the wireless device.

Abstract: A device (200) and method (300) with an augmented rules engine is disclosed. The method (300) can include: providing (310) a power saving rule including a set of preconditions to be met, each precondition having a test procedure and an associated resource cost, the resource cost comprises power drain; executing (320) each precondition test procedure in a predetermined serial order starting with a lowest resource cost to a highest resource cost; discontinuing (330) a test procedure and disabling the power saving rule in the event a precondition is not met; and continuing (340) execution of a next precondition test procedure according to the predetermined order. Advantageously, the device (200) and method (300) can help to extend battery life, reduce latency and reduce receipt of unnecessary data.

Abstract: A method on an electronic device is described. A first sensor of the electronic device scans for a first movement indication. A set of second sensors of the electronic device are activated based on the first movement indication. The set of second sensors scan for a respective set of second movement indications. The set of second movement indications are weighted based on a respective set of sensor weight values to obtain a weighted set of second movement indications. The weighted set of second movement indications is combined to determine a device mode of the electronic device. The device mode is updated based on the combination of the weighted set.

Abstract: A method on an electronic device for a wireless network is described. A first set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. A second set of unique wireless access point IDs is collected. The first set and the second set are compared to determine intersecting wireless access point IDs and non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set. If the number of intersecting wireless access point IDs meets an intersection threshold for the first set, the non-intersecting wireless access point IDs of the second set are added to the first set. A confidence level is updated for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that correspond to the intersecting wireless access point IDs. Geographic information is determined for the unique wireless access point IDs of the first set that meet a confidence threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for processing email messages are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a first signal input indicative of a request that contents of a selected email message be displayed on a display associated with a client computer device, wherein the contents are stored in a memory device associated with a server computer device and include contents of at least one other email message. The method further includes causing displaying of the contents of the selected email message for reviewing by the user. The method additionally includes making a determination of whether the contents of the at least one other email message have been reviewed by the user during the user's review of the contents of the selected email message, and providing an indication regarding whether or to what extent the at least one other email message has been read based upon the determination.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a first call placed with a first mobile device by a caller to a called party with a second mobile device and not answered by the called party, determining at least one candidate contact having a third mobile device, an association with the called party, and a probability of being in proximity to the called party at the time of the first call; and placing a second call using the first mobile device to the third mobile device. The method may include determining the association of the candidate contact with the called party, and determining the probability that the candidate is in proximity to the called party at the time of the first call. The probability determination may include generating a list of candidate contacts from an association map, where each of the candidates has an association with the called party according to the association map.

Abstract: A method (500) for identifying a local area network (103) with a mobile device (100) includes scanning (504) for available local area networks with a wireless communication circuit. Upon detecting an available local area network, a base station (502) of the local area network pushes a MAC address (122) to the mobile device. The mobile device then determines (512) one or more of a host identifier, network purveyor, network location, other information, or combinations thereof, from the MAC address without having to resolve geographic coordinates.

Abstract: A method and system for processing email messages are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving a first signal input indicative of a request that contents of a selected email message be displayed on a display associated with a client computer device, wherein the contents are stored in a memory device associated with a server computer device and include contents of at least one other email message. The method further includes causing displaying of the contents of the selected email message for reviewing by the user. The method additionally includes making a determination of whether the contents of the at least one other email message have been reviewed by the user during the user's review of the contents of the selected email message, and providing an indication regarding whether or to what extent the at least one other email message has been read based upon the determination.